Fermob vs Nardi: Which Outdoor Furniture Is Right for Your Irish Garden?

Fermob or Nardi? Both are premium European outdoor furniture brands, both are built to live outside all year, and both are available from Custom Wood Designs in Ireland. But they are very different in look, feel and materials. This guide compares Nardi and Fermob side by side, with real products from our range, so you can choose the right garden, patio or terrace furniture first time.

Key takeaways

• Nardi (Italy) makes stackable, lightweight furniture in recyclable resin. It is a practical choice for Irish weather and for busy outdoor spaces.
• Fermob (France) makes colourful steel and aluminium furniture with a classic Parisian feel, in up to 25 colours.
• Lead times: Nardi usually arrives in 2–6 weeks. Fermob is made to order at the factory and takes 5–9 weeks.
• For modern, low-maintenance and hard-wearing, choose Nardi. For heritage design and bold colour, choose Fermob.

Nardi outdoor furniture: Italian design, built to last

Nardi furniture is designed and made in Italy. Most pieces are moulded from fibreglass-reinforced resin, a material that does not rust, rot or peel. It is UV-stabilised, so colours stay true in sun and rain, and it is fully recyclable. Most Nardi chairs and stools are stackable, which makes winter storage easy.

Popular Nardi ranges at Custom Wood Designs:

• Nardi Net chair: an airy mesh-style back, stackable and comfortable without cushions.
• Nardi Doga bistrot chair: a slatted look inspired by wood, without the maintenance.
• Nardi Folio armchair: a low, relaxed lounge armchair.
• Nardi Maximo and Nardi Komodo: modular outdoor sofas that you build module by module.
• Nardi Rio and Nardi Tevere: extendable outdoor dining tables.
• Nardi Omega sun lounger: stackable, with an adjustable backrest.

Fermob outdoor furniture: French heritage in colour

Fermob furniture is made in France from powder-coated steel and aluminium. It is known for its iconic shapes and its palette of up to 25 colours, from soft neutrals to bright Candied Orange and Acapulco Blue. Fermob is a factory, and every piece is made to order in your chosen colour.

• Fermob Luxembourg chair: inspired by the 1923 chairs of the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, stackable and in aluminium or steel.
• Fermob Bistro chair: the classic folding café chair, easy to store flat.
• Fermob tables, sofas and lounge pieces and sun loungers in matching colours.

Nardi vs Fermob: the main differences

Which brand is better for Irish weather?

Both brands are made for outdoor use all year, but they handle the Irish climate in different ways. Nardi resin simply cannot rust, and rain runs straight off it, so it is the most worry-free choice for exposed gardens and coastal homes. Fermob protects its steel and aluminium with a thick UV- and weather-resistant powder coating. Small chips can be repaired with a Fermob touch-up pen in the same colour. In very windy spots, the heavier Fermob steel pieces stay put, while Nardi chairs can be stacked and stored in seconds.

Nardi or Fermob for a small garden or balcony?

For a small space, look for compact tables and chairs that fold or stack. Our Nardi balcony and bistro sets combine a small table with two chairs that stack away when you need the space. Fermob's folding Bistro set does the same job with a café look and stores flat against a wall.

Outdoor lounge furniture: Nardi Maximo and Komodo vs Fermob

If you want a full outdoor living room, Nardi Maximo and Nardi Komodo are modular sofa systems. You choose central modules, ends and armchairs and add Sunbrella cushions, so the sofa fits your space exactly. See our Nardi Maximo lounge sets for ready-made combinations. Fermob's lounge pieces are more sculptural, and they shine when you want colour to be the star.

Outdoor dining: Nardi Rio and Tevere tables

For family dining or entertaining, the extendable Nardi Rio 140 grows from 140 to 210 cm, and the Nardi Tevere extends for larger gatherings. Pair either with stackable Nardi chairs, or browse our Nardi dining sets, named by the number of seats (4-seater, 6-seater, 8-seater) to make choosing simple.

Our verdict: Fermob vs Nardi

• Choose Nardi if you want modern, practical, low-maintenance furniture that stacks away and shrugs off Irish rain, and you would like it sooner.
• Choose Fermob if you love heritage French design and colour, and you are happy to wait 5–9 weeks for a piece made to order in your colour.
• Can't decide? The two brands sit well together. A Nardi table with Fermob chairs, or the other way round, can look striking.

Browse the full Nardi outdoor furniture collection, our Nardi furniture sets, or the Fermob outdoor furniture collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nardi furniture good for Irish weather?

Yes. Nardi resin is UV-stabilised, does not rust or rot and can stay outdoors all year. Wash it with mild soapy water and store cushions indoors in winter.

Is Fermob furniture worth the wait?

Fermob is made to order at the factory in your chosen colour, which is why lead time is 5–9 weeks. In return, you get French-made steel or aluminium furniture in up to 25 colours, built to last for years.

Which is easier to store, Fermob or Nardi?

Most Nardi chairs and stools stack, and Fermob's Bistro chairs and tables fold flat. Both are easy to put away for winter.

Can I mix Fermob and Nardi?

Absolutely. A Nardi table with Fermob chairs gives you a mix of Italian and French design.

Do you deliver Nardi and Fermob across Ireland?

Yes. Custom Wood Designs delivers Nardi and Fermob furniture across Ireland and the UK. See our lead times and shipping page for details.